Arab News, Saturday, Nov 19, 2022 | Rabi Al Thani 24, 1444
Madinah expands ‘smart city’ role
Saudi Arabia:
Madinah Development Authority finalized an
agreement with the UN Human Settlements Program, UN-Habitat, on the sidelines of
the Smart City Expo World Congress 2022 in Barcelona.
The agreement will strengthen cooperation between
both parties within the Global Urban Observatories areas, the Sustainable
Development Goals’ cities program, the People-Centered Smart Cities program, and
organization of the World Urban Forum, due be held in Cairo in 2024.
Both organizations will also cooperate in the
organization of the Smart Madinah Forum, to be held in 2023.
The UN-Habitat Program will review the agreement
to discuss options that will support the authority in achieving SGDs.
It will also support the directions to be taken by
the city in this area, with Madinah viewed as a key example of people-centered
smart cities because of its flexibility and sustainability characteristics.
The authority presented its experiences and
expertise in smart cities in the Madinah Pavilion during the Barcelona summit.
It also took part in dialogue sessions with
several government bodies during the congress.